The burial ground “Ekaterinovsky Mys” in the Samara region was discovered by pure chance: in the summer of 2013, local summer residents began to come across animal bones and archaeological artifacts while digging a pit, which the residents told scientists about. Radiocarbon dating determined the age of the burial ground at 6-6.5 thousand years. This period was called in science “eneolithic” – a transitional period between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. People already knew and used copper, but along with it there were still many tools made of stone and bone. Therefore, the eneolithic is also called the Copper-Stone Age.
Radiocarbon dating determined the age of the burial ground at 6-6.5 thousand years. This period was called in science “eneolithic” – a transitional period between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. People already knew and used copper, but along with it there were still many tools made of stone and bone. Therefore, the eneolithic is also called the Copper-Stone Age.
Burial 45 turned out to be unique. The inventory that was sent to the other world together with the deceased is very rich for the early Eneolithic. Of particular interest is the bone-carved figure of a bird, which probably played the role of a ritual headdress. Also in the grave were two severed hands and shin bones of other people.
The buried man was 20-25 years old at the time of his death, and his height was 167-173 cm. Researchers found three longitudinal marks on his skull: most likely, these are traces of trauma. But whether he died from these injuries is a question.
Archaeologists have concluded that the buried person probably belonged to the elite of society. What do you think? Perhaps we are looking at a representative of the Eneolithic “golden youth”? Or an ancient shaman?
Graphic reconstruction of the face was performed by R.M. Galeev.